We divide the entire computer system into two categories: Software and Hardware. Hardware devices are the computer system’s visible and physical components, like the mouse, keyboard, monitor, and CPU. On the other hand, Software is an instruction set that enables the hardware devices to perform the given set of tasks. For a proper and similar function, it is necessary to install Software in the Hardware. Additionally, it is also important for the Hardware to be available to complete the given tasks.
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What are The Differences between Hardware and Software?
Hardware
Hardware devices can be easily seen and touched by the computer system or a machine’s users. It is a set of several computer electronics, including ICs, circuit board, and others. It is a vital element in the building of a computer or any other machine. Apart from CPU, Mouse, keyboard, printer, and others, the screen that lets us see this whole description is also a hardware device. Existence of a computer system is impossible without the involvement of any hardware.
Software
Software is a set of instructions, procedures, and documentation that lets computer hardware know all about the assigned task and allows the users to interact with the computer seamlessly. This is often abbreviated as SW or S/W. Software plays a vital role in computers or other electronic devices, and without them, the devices cannot be much fun as they are now! Several popular software applications are Google Chrome, MS Word, MySQL, Adobe Photoshop, and others.
Difference between Hardware and Software
Software and Hardware are two vital components of a computer and other electronic devices. Both of them have several differences. Software is an instruction set that runs on the device, whereas Hardware is a device used on or with the electronic device like computers. Also, Hardware can be touched, but Software cannot. Not only these, but there are several other differences between Hardware and Software, as mentioned in the below table:
| Hardware | Software |
| Hardware is a computer’s physical component that helps in data processing. | Software is an instruction set that directs the Computer on what to do. |
| The process of creating Hardware is manufacturing. | Software creation is known as development and engineering. |
| Hardware cannot perform any of their tasks without the help of Software. | Software cannot execute any of the tasks without hardware. |
| Hardware is a physical and electronic device that can easily be seen or touched. | Software is an application that can only be seen and used but cannot be touched. |
| The four major categories of Hardware are internal components, storage, output devices, and input devices. | The Software is divided into Application software, Programming software, and System software. |
| Any computer virus cannot affect the Hardware. | The computer viruses majorly affect the software. |
| Hardware cannot be transferred from a place to any other electrically using networking. | This is possible in Software. |
| Hardware when gets damages are replaced instantly with the newer ones. | If Software gets damages, the backup copy of the same one can be reinstalled. |
| Examples – RAM, ROM, CPU, Hard disk, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Printer, etc. | Examples – MySQL, Adobe Photoshop, PowerPoint, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc. |